Noob Ringneck Owner from South Africa

[GreenB]

Hi Peeps

Great site you have here. With the wealth of information on here and members help, I should be ok raising my bird correctly.
I'm a new ringneck owner from South Africa. Just got my bird yesterday, looks to be about 2 months old. From what I can see it looks to be an African ringneck.
First thing I need help with is, how to make the bird feel comfortable in its surroundings?
Secondly, how do I get it to eat?
And what do I do thereafter?

I haven't had a bird before, so any help would be appreciated.
Thanx GreenB

 

[WesselG]

Hi GreenB

I'm a fellow South African and seemingly the first to welcome you.

I'm not an expert on parrot behaviour but experience has showed me that the best way (in my case) to get a bird comfortable with it's cage was to put it in and leave it in peace for awhile. Putting the cage in a quiet corner without too much traffic around it might also help. Another idea is to just sit quietly close to the cage reading a book or watching TV...that way the bird gets used to you too, but it will take awhile before the bird is completely comfortable around you.

As for the food: was your bird hand-reared or reared by it's mother? If it was hand-reared it might be waiting for you to feed it by hand...even if that's the case he/she will eventually get hungry and start eating from it's foodbowl on it's own. If it doesn't eat for a couple of days then it's obvious you need more expert advice.

As for what to do there-after...I would say just enjoy it's company for now and see which direction things go. I have 5 IRN's and they all have distinct personalities so anything is possible.

 

[GreenB]

Where in SA you from?
Everytime I go near the cage it jumps to the opposite end of the cage, will try leaving it at peace for about 3 days.
I've also put a sheet over one half of the cage, it hides right at the top of the cage & doesn't sit on the perch at all. Fell asleep that way too. Normal?

Foodwise, I've bought a parrot mix, is that right?
I think it was eating out of a feeding bowl.

 

[antoinette]

Hi GreenB
A warm welcome from one SA to another, your bird is awesome
Where are you located?
Sorry quite a few question we need answered in order to assist you.
What are you currently feeding your bird?
There diet should consist of fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries, and nutritionally balanced pelleted.
What type of a cage have you got for your bird, is it spacious and are there toys for the bird to play with?
Where is the cage situated, hopefully in a quiet environment which assists the bird in settling down.

Below is a link which will certainly give you a broader scope of Ringnecks

Ringnecks FAQ's

 

[MomtoPercy]

Another SA welcome!! Boerewors and Braai day today, eh?

 

[lotosha]

Hello. Welcome to the forum, beautiful bird.

 

[GreenB]

Another SA welcome!! Boerewors and Braai day today, eh?

Bring the biltong with...

 

[GreenB]

Hi GreenB
A warm welcome from one SA to another, your bird is awesome
Where are you located?
Sorry quite a few question we need answered in order to assist you.
What are you currently feeding your bird?
There diet should consist of fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries, and nutritionally balanced pelleted.
What type of a cage have you got for your bird, is it spacious and are there toys for the bird to play with?
Where is the cage situated, hopefully in a quiet environment which assists the bird in settling down.

Below is a link which will certainly give you a broader scope of Ringnecks

Ringnecks FAQ's

Thanks for welcome & link
Just got him yesterday, so don't have any toys as yet
Feeding is a seeds and nuts mix.
Cage is off decent size, situated in the corner of the room near the window. He didn't seem to like the blinds being opened tho.

 

[MomtoPercy]

Cage is off decent size, situated in the corner of the room near the window. He didn't seem to like the blinds being opened tho.

Parrots are prey animals so they are easily startled by birds outside the window - mine even perceives minah's and turtlesdoves as threats! Percy is also next to a window and he makes his alarm call when he sees "predators"/birds outside and goes and hides behind his 'hidey toy'. Then we close the curtain a bit and make a big production of "shooing the scary birds away". He calms very quickly.

 

[WesselG]

GreenB,

My IRN's all have the habit of climbing to a specific corner of the cage to sleep at night and never ever on the perch. It's funny to see how they have staked out their sleeping corner and the feather-fairies better protect the bird that try and steal that spot, lol.

The only exception to that rule I've ever seen was the sun conure pair I had. They and all the chicks they had at that stage all slept in the nestbox...how they all fit I'm not sure but they did.

 

[GreenB]

Good news. Finally got onto the perch and caught him/ her napping

 

[MikeyTN]

Welcome to the forum! Beautiful bird you've got there!!!

 

[Terry57]

Hello and welcome! He is a beautiful bird Have you named him/her yet?
I would also suggest getting some more perches of varying sizes when you go back to the store. They like to have choices, and it will be easier on his feet

 

[PetoftheDay]

Time and patience, you can start sitting quietly by the cage, reading, using your phone or whatever, for periods of time, and then after he seems okay with that, start talking to him, reading to him ....

And good luck with him, he's lovely!

 

[GreenB]

Thanx for all the compliments. Been working the weekend, so will drop by the pet store in the week.
Haven't named it as yet.
Caught him/ her napping in the upright position again tonight, still not sure whats up with that.

 

[GreenB]

Some help please, i've got my birds wings clipped but somehow he still doesn't want to come out of the cage. Any advice?

 

[Terry57]

He is still adjusting to a new living situation, and may just take some time to feel confident enough to come out on his own. It took my hawkhead a week, and one of my amazons took almost 3 weeks. I think it is different with each bird. The more time you spend with him, just sitting by his cage and talking to him, the quicker he will adapt, I think.

 

[WesselG]

GreenB,

My IRN's (ranging from 3 months to 8-9 years old) all take occasional naps with one leg tugged up under their bodies while sitting on their perches. They wake up after a few minutes of rest so I won't worry about that too much.

As for him not coming out of his cage my guess is that he's still feeling a bit insecure and considers his cage a safe haven. Give him lots of time and he'll start to come out of his shell. If you figured out his favourite treat perhaps putting it just out of reach of where-ever he's sitting might lure him a bit closer to you. But be warned: it will take time so don't expect instant results.

 

[MomtoPercy]

Indeed - take your time and let him adjust at his own pace. For now, just make sure he is comfortable and feels secure and safe.

 

[tisherself]

Hi GreenB!
Welcome from the U.S. in Illinois. I have found that covering the cage gives a new bird an extra sense of security. While cage is covered, let him hear your voice, a high-pitch tone (they like that). Say his name often, uncover his cage and leave it open. It may take a while but he will b curious about you. Go on about your business just saying his name and leaving him the choice of comming out. Eventually, he will come out to see what your doing. Try handing him a treat or leave it outside the cage. Let him decide to trust you. Little by little this will work, depending on his personality. Hope this helps some...